PWI 500

The PWI 500 — 2002

The complete Pro Wrestling Illustrated 500 for 2002 — all five hundred places, as published. Rob Van Dam took the number one spot.

PWI 500, 2002 — all 500 places
Rank	Wrestler	GOAT	Evidence
1	Rob Van Dam	97.64	Calibrated
2	The Undertaker	99.38	Calibrated
3	Keiji Mutoh	62.34	Provisional
4	Chris Jericho	97.96	Calibrated
5	Eddie Guerrero	98.64	Calibrated
6	Kurt Angle	97.99	Calibrated
7	Adam Copeland	66.43	Provisional
8	Yuji Nagata	57.40	Provisional
9	The Rock	98.95	Calibrated
10	Triple H	98.94	Calibrated
11	Black Tiger IV	51.19	Provisional
12	Minoru Tanaka	53.84	Provisional
13	Steve Austin	99.14	Calibrated
14	Booker T	95.05	Calibrated
15	Genichiro Tenryu	54.81	Provisional
16	Shocker	54.27	Provisional
17	Brock Lesnar	99.08	Calibrated
18	Mitsuharu Misawa	66.62	Provisional
19	Hulk Hogan	99.28	Calibrated
20	William Regal	55.80	Provisional
21	El Hijo del Santo	59.35	Provisional
22	Kendo Ka Shin	51.94	Provisional
23	Yoshihiro Tajiri	53.48	Provisional
24	Jeff Jarrett	64.80	Provisional
25	Matt Hardy	69.07	Provisional
26	Hurricane Helms	51.30	Provisional
27	Yoshihiro Takayama	51.85	Provisional
28	Deacon Batista	48.91	Provisional
29	Hector Garza	54.54	Provisional
30	Bubba Ray Dudley	77.84	Provisional
31	Satoshi Kojima	57.74	Provisional
32	Jeff Hardy	97.49	Calibrated
33	Randy Orton	97.91	Calibrated
34	Ric Flair	99.79	Calibrated
35	Dr. Wagner Jr.	58.31	Provisional
36	Bradshaw	53.47	Provisional
37	Chuck Palumbo	51.16	Provisional
38	Koji Kanemoto	54.63	Provisional
39	Rikishi	77.62	Provisional
40	Test	52.86	Provisional
41	Jushin Liger	63.16	Provisional
42	Jamie Knoble	49.39	Provisional
43	Billy Gunn	77.85	Provisional
44	La Parka	52.47	Provisional
45	Jerry Lynn	54.89	Provisional
46	John Cena	99.37	Calibrated
47	Christian Cage	95.07	Calibrated
48	Jun Akiyama	58.13	Provisional
49	Big Show	60.36	Provisional
50	Nicho El Millonario	51.46	Provisional
51	Taiyo Kea	52.83	Provisional
52	Shinya Hashimoto	56.16	Provisional
53	Billy Kidman	53.02	Provisional
54	Vader	53.26	Provisional
55	Kane	79.65	Provisional
56	Lance Storm	55.25	Provisional
57	Christopher Daniels	59.71	Provisional
58	Rey Mysterio	97.16	Calibrated
59	Scott Hall	56.56	Provisional
60	Masahiro Chono	52.33	Provisional
61	Ultimo Guerrero	59.60	Provisional
62	Raven	57.27	Provisional
63	Yoshinari Ogawa	50.74	Provisional
64	Dustin Rhodes	63.63	Provisional
65	Ken Shamrock	55.27	Provisional
66	Rey Bucanero	53.05	Provisional
67	Shannon Moore	52.05	Provisional
68	Scorpio	50.03	Provisional
69	Tarzan Boy	50.11	Provisional
70	AJ Styles	97.33	Calibrated
71	Sean O'Haire	49.91	Provisional
72	Devon Storm	51.18	Provisional
73	Tokyo Magnum	51.02	Provisional
74	The Big Valbowski	47.79	Provisional
75	Donovan Morgan	50.75	Provisional
76	Low Ki	54.51	Provisional
77	Atlantis	53.67	Provisional
78	Tommy Dreamer	78.01	Provisional
79	Tiger Mask IV	54.77	Provisional
80	Syxx-Pac	48.90	Provisional
81	Kensuke Sasaki	58.55	Provisional
82	Faarooq	51.92	Provisional
83	Mr. Niebla	52.79	Provisional
84	Steve Bradley	49.38	Provisional
85	Spike Dudley	52.89	Provisional
86	Michael Modest	51.07	Provisional
87	Kaz Hayashi	52.28	Provisional
88	Blue Panther	52.50	Provisional
89	American Dragon	50.16	Provisional
90	Hiroyoshi Tenzan	56.66	Provisional
91	Masato Tanaka	54.67	Provisional
92	Doug Williams	52.40	Provisional
93	Steven Richards	52.36	Provisional
94	Shiima Nobunaga	50.37	Provisional
95	Justin Credible	55.30	Provisional
96	Fuerza Guerrera	50.58	Provisional
97	Takeshi Rikio	50.22	Provisional
98	D-Lo Brown	52.05	Provisional
99	Hardcore Holly	51.84	Provisional
100	Nick Dinsmore	50.03	Provisional
101	Takeshi Morishima	55.16	Provisional
102	Negro Casas	54.49	Provisional
103	Rico Constantino	48.62	Provisional
104	Steve Corino	53.27	Provisional
105	Brian Christopher	52.83	Provisional
106	Manabu Nakanishi	53.03	Provisional
107	Maven	49.71	Provisional
108	Latin Lover	51.23	Provisional
109	Dan Severn	52.15	Provisional
110	Osamu Nishimura	51.25	Provisional
111	Juventud Guerrera	54.14	Provisional
112	Heavy Metal	51.57	Provisional
113	Jody Fleisch	48.89	Provisional
114	Scoot Andrews	49.96	Provisional
115	Chavo Guerrero	55.67	Provisional
116	Takao Omori	51.69	Provisional
117	Shawn Stasiak	50.84	Provisional
118	Ron Waterman	47.01	Provisional
119	Perro Aguayo, Jr.	56.31	Provisional
120	Lance Cade	51.09	Provisional
121	Akira Taue	52.85	Provisional
122	Mark Henry	78.57	Provisional
123	Villano III	50.12	Provisional
124	Kimo	48.27	Provisional
125	Albert	50.61	Provisional
126	Super Delfin	51.79	Provisional
127	Essa Rios	49.16	Provisional
128	Jonny Storm	48.66	Provisional
129	Al Snow	53.13	Provisional
130	Ekmo	47.58	Provisional
131	Jinsei Shinzaki	51.28	Provisional
132	Shelton Benjamin	64.08	Provisional
133	Sabu	58.98	Provisional
134	R. C. Haas	46.75	Provisional
135	Perry Saturn	51.86	Provisional
136	Rob Conway	52.40	Provisional
137	The Great Sasuke	54.76	Provisional
138	Mini Nova	46.68	Provisional
139	Hugh Morrus	51.12	Provisional
140	C. W. Anderson	51.49	Provisional
141	Black Warrior	52.13	Provisional
142	Mike Quackenbush	51.44	Provisional
143	The Blue Meanie	49.95	Provisional
144	Johnny Stamboli	48.94	Provisional
145	Shinjiro Otani	52.60	Provisional
146	Mark Jindrak	50.60	Provisional
147	Mascarita Sagrada	48.97	Provisional
148	Naoya Ogawa	51.57	Provisional
149	Shane Douglas	54.65	Provisional
150	Tadao Yasuda	46.47	Provisional
151	Joey Matthews	50.13	Provisional
152	El Alebrije	48.58	Provisional
153	Crash Holly	52.42	Provisional
154	Gedo	51.24	Provisional
155	Shark Boy	50.91	Provisional
156	Christian York	50.70	Provisional
157	Doug "Machine" Basham	46.36	Provisional
158	Jado	50.49	Provisional
159	Satanico	49.57	Provisional
160	Gran Apolo	48.76	Provisional
161	Malice	47.12	Provisional
162	Flash	47.05	Provisional
163	Buff Bagwell	50.65	Provisional
164	E. Z. Money	47.04	Provisional
165	Milano Collection A. T.	50.98	Provisional
166	Minoru Fujita	50.39	Provisional
167	Dragon Kid	51.24	Provisional
168	David Flair	47.97	Provisional
169	Mike Barton	48.80	Provisional
170	Bull Buchanan	49.68	Provisional
171	Spanky	50.72	Provisional
172	The Sandman	51.92	Provisional
173	Damaja	50.11	Provisional
174	Chris Nelson	46.91	Provisional
175	Chad Collyer	49.81	Provisional
176	Vito DeNucci	46.83	Provisional
177	Tatsuhito Takaiwa	51.19	Provisional
178	Ricky Marvin	49.93	Provisional
179	Tony Kozina	49.39	Provisional
180	Danny Doring	50.58	Provisional
181	Takehiro Murahama	49.11	Provisional
182	Simon Diamond	49.61	Provisional
183	Race Steele	47.31	Provisional
184	Julio Dinero	49.32	Provisional
185	Sean Casey	48.88	Provisional
186	Mike Shane	48.45	Provisional
187	Todd Shane	48.54	Provisional
188	Little Guido Maritato	48.51	Provisional
189	Electro Shock	51.29	Provisional
190	Trailer Park Trash	47.20	Provisional
191	El Samurai	50.97	Provisional
192	Matt Stryker	49.28	Provisional
193	Tom Howard	47.75	Provisional
194	Ron Killings	52.99	Provisional
195	Dick Togo	50.67	Provisional
196	Gran Naniwa	49.17	Provisional
197	Evan Karagias	49.22	Provisional
198	Johnny Smith	50.78	Provisional
199	Bobby Roode	65.92	Provisional
200	Emilio Charles Jr.	48.44	Provisional
201	Billy Fives	47.44	Provisional
202	The Godfather	49.78	Provisional
203	Gran Hamada	51.21	Provisional
204	Cody Hawk	49.18	Provisional
205	Steve Austin	99.14	Calibrated
206	Tsubasa	46.39	Provisional
207	Felino	51.95	Provisional
208	Curt Hennig	55.34	Provisional
209	Shinya Makabe	46.31	Provisional
210	Frankie Kazarian	60.54	Provisional
211	Damien	46.82	Provisional
212	Octagon	52.71	Provisional
213	Black Buffalo	45.49	Provisional
214	Mike Sanders	46.93	Provisional
215	Hotstuff Hernandez	49.34	Provisional
216	Sylvester Terkay	46.21	Provisional
217	The Amazing Red	51.78	Provisional
218	Jason Lee	47.53	Provisional
219	Seven	48.69	Provisional
220	David Young	49.83	Provisional
221	Chet Jablonski	46.69	Provisional
222	Jet Jaguar	47.30	Provisional
223	Payne	45.31	Provisional
224	Gamma	47.03	Provisional
225	Tony Jones	48.44	Provisional
226	New Jack	51.02	Provisional
227	Dean Jablonski	47.02	Provisional
228	Bison Smith	49.82	Provisional
229	Gran Apache	45.21	Provisional
230	Samoa Joe	96.26	Calibrated
231	Masaaki Mochizuki	51.31	Provisional
232	Tony Mamaluke	48.16	Provisional
233	Ryo Saito	47.94	Provisional
234	Bull Schmidt	45.91	Provisional
235	Onyx	47.61	Provisional
236	Prince Justice	45.11	Provisional
237	Tom Brandi	49.32	Provisional
238	Beau James	47.82	Provisional
239	B.J. Whitmer	50.58	Provisional
240	Shannon Ballard	47.44	Provisional
241	Mike Rotundo	46.26	Provisional
242	Chris Michaels	47.51	Provisional
243	Shane Ballard	47.50	Provisional
244	Tony B.	44.98	Provisional
245	Genki Horiguchi	49.73	Provisional
246	Boyce Legrande	47.71	Provisional
247	Supreme	46.29	Provisional
248	Xavier	47.09	Provisional
249	K. C. Thunder	47.85	Provisional
250	Kaos	47.10	Provisional
251	Joel Maximo	48.48	Provisional
252	Jimmy Rave	50.23	Provisional
253	Jose Maximo	48.65	Provisional
254	Dennis Gregory	47.72	Provisional
255	Glen Osbourne	50.88	Provisional
256	Robert Thompson	46.93	Provisional
257	Jason Sugarman	44.78	Provisional
258	Keiji Sakoda	46.10	Provisional
259	Justice Pain	46.09	Provisional
260	Mikey Henderson	46.08	Provisional
261	Mike Sullivan	47.02	Provisional
262	Jeremy Lopez	46.51	Provisional
263	Vinny Massaro	47.62	Provisional
264	Gillberg	49.55	Provisional
265	Frank Parker	48.46	Provisional
266	Johnny Spade	47.92	Provisional
267	Scottie Wren	45.97	Provisional
268	Johnny Webb	44.60	Provisional
269	Adam Firestorm	46.72	Provisional
270	Pogo The Clown	45.37	Provisional
271	Lazz	45.37	Provisional
272	John Rambo	49.82	Provisional
273	Big Bad John	46.30	Provisional
274	Bo Dupp	45.29	Provisional
275	King Kong Bundy	49.91	Provisional
276	Matt Murphy	45.27	Provisional
277	Cru Jones	45.27	Provisional
278	Chris Hamrick	47.81	Provisional
279	Caprice Coleman	50.35	Provisional
280	Redd Dogg	44.40	Provisional
281	Vic Grimes	45.90	Provisional
282	Jag	45.87	Provisional
283	Roger Anderson	47.10	Provisional
284	Inferno	45.77	Provisional
285	Jimmy Vegas	46.09	Provisional
286	Iceberg	46.69	Provisional
287	Chris Candido	53.00	Provisional
288	J. R. Ryder	47.13	Provisional
289	Don Montoya	48.57	Provisional
290	Boomer Payne	46.41	Provisional
291	Nigel McGuinness	56.57	Provisional
292	Colt Cabana	53.34	Provisional
293	Vance Nevada	49.01	Provisional
294	Balls Mahoney	51.10	Provisional
295	Lash LeRoux	48.96	Provisional
296	Jason Rumble	46.58	Provisional
297	Lex Lovett	47.21	Provisional
298	Havok	59.71	Provisional
299	Jacey North	46.20	Provisional
300	Quinn Magnum	47.05	Provisional
301	Prince Nana	48.06	Provisional
302	Azrieal	47.88	Provisional
303	Maxx Justice	46.61	Provisional
304	Naphtali	46.42	Provisional
305	CM Punk	98.11	Calibrated
306	Nick Mondo	44.78	Provisional
307	Gabriel	45.76	Provisional
308	Quiet Storm	47.71	Provisional
309	Mike Pittman	43.97	Provisional
310	Flash Barker	43.97	Provisional
311	Monsta Mack	46.41	Provisional
312	Brandon K.	45.78	Provisional
313	Nick Gage	51.41	Provisional
314	Mafia	44.68	Provisional
315	The Messiah	45.80	Provisional
316	Chaz Taylor	49.40	Provisional
317	Skull Ganz	45.61	Provisional
318	Tiger Khan	45.60	Provisional
319	Nathan Jones	48.05	Provisional
320	Stan Dupp	43.79	Provisional
321	Dusty Wolfe	48.71	Provisional
322	Tom Marquez	43.77	Provisional
323	Ian Rotten	49.20	Provisional
324	Preston Quinn	46.23	Provisional
325	Scott D'Amore	49.29	Provisional
326	Ulf Herman	43.70	Provisional
327	Mr. Ooh La La	47.46	Provisional
328	Juggernaut	46.94	Provisional
329	T. Rantula	50.13	Provisional
330	Rapid Fire Maldonado	45.40	Provisional
331	Scott Bishop	46.01	Provisional
332	John Walters	47.23	Provisional
333	Rico Casanova	46.49	Provisional
334	Dylan Night	44.96	Provisional
335	Qenaan Creed	45.91	Provisional
336	Trent Acid	47.22	Provisional
337	Wade Chism	45.30	Provisional
338	Dr. Luther	46.18	Provisional
339	Johnny Swinger	50.13	Provisional
340	Chris Divine	44.96	Provisional
341	Rick Deezel	46.74	Provisional
342	Ruckus	49.07	Provisional
343	Nate Hatred	43.46	Provisional
344	Marc Ash	48.48	Provisional
345	Cyrus	43.40	Provisional
346	J. J. Johnston	45.50	Provisional
347	Madman Pondo	47.42	Provisional
348	Ace Steel	49.52	Provisional
349	John Balsamo	44.69	Provisional
350	Johnny Kashmere	47.44	Provisional
351	Navajo Warrior	45.58	Provisional
352	The Bruiser	46.03	Provisional
353	Natrone Steele	44.66	Provisional
354	Nick Berk	44.06	Provisional
355	Slyck Wagner Brown	46.90	Provisional
356	Rich Myers	45.69	Provisional
357	Dash Bennett	43.99	Provisional
358	Adrian Lynch	45.09	Provisional
359	Chris Hero	52.95	Provisional
360	Cheetah Master	49.31	Provisional
361	Homicide	53.39	Provisional
362	Earl The Pearl	45.30	Provisional
363	Superstar Steve	44.76	Provisional
364	Robin Knightwing	46.93	Provisional
365	Rikki Nelson	45.69	Provisional
366	Dino Devine	43.88	Provisional
367	Spyder	43.86	Provisional
368	Bryan Wenzel	43.86	Provisional
369	Joey Knight	46.96	Provisional
370	Bruno Sassi	43.06	Provisional
371	Billy Bax	48.33	Provisional
372	Judas Young	45.30	Provisional
373	Brock Singleton	44.66	Provisional
374	Striker	46.58	Provisional
375	Z-Barr	43.76	Provisional
376	J. P. Black	44.28	Provisional
377	Joey Corman	44.27	Provisional
378	Shaggy 2 Dope	46.03	Provisional
379	Rick Michaels	43.68	Provisional
380	Eddie Watts	42.88	Provisional
381	The Hardkore Kidd	44.06	Provisional
382	Romeo Valentino	45.07	Provisional
383	Adam Flash	48.35	Provisional
384	Tommy Drake	43.68	Provisional
385	Orlando Jordan	51.26	Provisional
386	Sean Styles	44.06	Provisional
387	Jaguar Vijay Singh	43.86	Provisional
388	Danny Rose	44.09	Provisional
389	Smelly	43.69	Provisional
390	Terry Allen	45.18	Provisional
391	Piranah	45.27	Provisional
392	Larry Destiny	44.82	Provisional
393	Hack Meyers	46.02	Provisional
394	Creeping Death	43.46	Provisional
395	Jardi Frantz	44.26	Provisional
396	Mark Mercedes	43.40	Provisional
397	Nikita Allanov	44.97	Provisional
398	Ronnie Zukko	43.38	Provisional
399	Dirk Ciglar	43.66	Provisional
400	James Champagne	43.36	Provisional
401	Brian Anthony	45.18	Provisional
402	Time Bomb	42.57	Provisional
403	Hellraiser Hark	42.50	Provisional
404	Mike Kruel	48.75	Provisional
405	Bob Evans	47.34	Provisional
406	Horshu	46.17	Provisional
407	Bobby Rogers	46.94	Provisional
408	Giant Singh	42.47	Provisional
409	J-Rocc	45.10	Provisional
410	Eric Everlast	44.90	Provisional
411	Tejas	43.77	Provisional
412	The California Kid	43.76	Provisional
413	Abunai	42.37	Provisional
414	Nova Cain	44.17	Provisional
415	Jeff Hammerick	43.10	Provisional
416	Bobby 2-Badd	43.67	Provisional
417	Major Havoc	46.72	Provisional
418	Mozart Fontaine	45.34	Provisional
419	The Bouncer	44.78	Provisional
420	Adam Jacobs	43.07	Provisional
421	The Jackyl	43.59	Provisional
422	Spazman Anthony	42.27	Provisional
423	Aaron Stevens	49.71	Provisional
424	Marshall Knox	42.99	Provisional
425	Alex Arion	47.23	Provisional
426	Boogalou	42.17	Provisional
427	Kevin Knight	50.94	Provisional
428	E. Z. Ryder	42.90	Provisional
429	Dewey Cheatum	42.97	Provisional
430	Scab	44.18	Provisional
431	Norton Lewis	42.09	Provisional
432	Rollin' Hard	43.57	Provisional
433	Brad Michaels	42.07	Provisional
434	Hadrian	43.39	Provisional
435	Chris Sabin	55.76	Provisional
436	Crusher Hansen	44.48	Provisional
437	Arch Kincaid	47.11	Provisional
438	Norman Tharx	41.99	Provisional
439	Johnny Maxx	44.07	Provisional
440	Cruiser Lewis	43.30	Provisional
441	Frankie The Mobster	46.64	Provisional
442	Johnny Handsome	45.99	Provisional
443	Matt Vandal	43.30	Provisional
444	Stan Sierra	42.69	Provisional
445	Sean Lei	42.67	Provisional
446	Cash Flo	44.26	Provisional
447	David Lee Gilbert	43.00	Provisional
448	Poison	43.67	Provisional
449	Johnny Graham	48.35	Provisional
450	Ruffhouse Rivera	43.30	Provisional
451	The Codfather	43.08	Provisional
452	Shawn Christopher	45.71	Provisional
453	Flex Fenom	43.27	Provisional
454	Leslie Leatherman	44.61	Provisional
455	Dave Johnson	43.70	Provisional
456	Ricky Murdoch	41.71	Provisional
457	Rob Eckos	49.70	Provisional
458	Brian Bedlam	42.47	Provisional
459	Spanky Malone	42.69	Provisional
460	Gino Martino	43.79	Provisional
461	Stamp Lickage	43.00	Provisional
462	Adam Booker	44.27	Provisional
463	Roman	44.10	Provisional
464	Nikki Strychnine	41.60	Provisional
465	C. B. Cane	42.91	Provisional
466	Rob Noxious	44.21	Provisional
467	Billy Reil	43.47	Provisional
468	Gator McAllister	41.51	Provisional
469	Bobby Collins	41.51	Provisional
470	Bob Keller	43.48	Provisional
471	Kelly Bell	41.50	Provisional
472	Bulldozer Benton	42.27	Provisional
473	Idol X.	41.48	Provisional
474	Rod Bell	43.47	Provisional
475	Japanese Pool Boy	45.28	Provisional
476	Jake Damien	43.20	Provisional
477	Ricky Noble	41.40	Provisional
478	Dave Greco	43.17	Provisional
479	Jimmy Jacobs	52.71	Provisional
480	Mack Truck	42.11	Provisional
481	Derock Neikirk	41.32	Provisional
482	H. C. Loc	45.80	Provisional
483	The Prophet	42.80	Provisional
484	Tyson Dux	51.86	Provisional
485	Lorida	41.28	Provisional
486	Dukes Dalton	42.51	Provisional
487	Mike Knox	50.27	Provisional
488	Buck Wylde	41.22	Provisional
489	Terry Knight	42.11	Provisional
490	Rusty Riddle	41.20	Provisional
491	Brandon Walker	42.11	Provisional
492	Gutter	43.50	Provisional
493	Samir	42.79	Provisional
494	Luis Ortiz	43.57	Provisional
495	Ox Harley	44.99	Provisional
496	Shane Shadows	44.91	Provisional
497	Chris Venom	41.10	Provisional
498	Frankie Capone	44.48	Provisional
499	Matt Richards	41.09	Provisional
500	Derek McQuinn	41.08	Provisional

The PWI 500 is used here as a record of who was visible in a given year, not as a vote on greatness — its density in recent decades is exactly the modern-era bias our own ranking corrects for. Why, in full.

The whole archive, 1991–2025 · The GOAT ranking

This page reproduces a published annual ranking as a matter of record. It is a free, unofficial fan reference — an unofficial fan tribute, made for fun. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to World Wrestling Entertainment, All Elite Wrestling, TNA Wrestling, New Japan Pro-Wrestling, or any official rights holder of the promotions, championships and performers named.